Magical Kenya
KENYA SAFARI
A Kenya safari offers one of the most rewarding experiences in Africa, combining incredible big 5 game viewing with cultural interactions in a spectacularly beautiful country. Most trips to Kenya include a visit to the iconic Masai Mara, which plays host to the annual Great Wildebeest Migration. Combine a Masai Mara safari with the diverse wildlife of Samburu as well as Amboseli’s view of Mount Kilimanjaro and large elephant herds.
Add in authentic cultural interactions with local Maasai villages and you have a Kenya Safari that will delight and enthrall you. Chill out at the end of your Out of Africa safari with a trip to the white sandy beaches of Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline. Spend your days snorkeling and diving world-class reefs or stroll around the old town of Mombasa or Diani.
Suggested Safaris to Kenya
When you have caught the rhythm of Africa, you find out that it is the same in all her music” ~ Karen Blixen
WHERE TO GO ON A KENYA SAFARI
You are spoilt for choice on your Kenya Safari! From spending just a few nights on a Masai Mara Safari to a long trip including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia and perhaps the Kenya Coast, there are many incredible game reserves, private conservancies, and national parks to explore in Kenya.
Some popular trips include the Masai Mara Walking Safari and the Kenya Safari by Elewana which highlights the best of Kenya.
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
The Masai Mara is an incredibly rich savannah landscape, where the local Masai tribes live in harmony with the surrounding wildlife. Comprised of the large Masai Mara National Reserve and private conservancies, along with Tanzania’s Serengeti to the south, the Masai Mara ecosystem is diverse in scenery, wildlife, and safari lodge options. Enjoy a Masai Mara safari at any time of the year for excellent general wildlife viewing and fabulous predator viewing. However, if you can arrive between July and October, you will be treated to the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration. Here over a million wildebeest and zebra cross the Serengeti plains into the Masai Mara, in search of grazing.
Spend some time on foot with your Maasai guides or glide quietly above the plains in a hot air balloon ride. The Iconic Masai Mara is a photographer’s dream and a twitchers paradise with over 400 species of birds recorded. There are some amazing lodges to stay at while on your Masai Mara safari, from eco-friendly fly camping to large luxury properties with silver servers. Outstanding guiding, incredible scenery and excellent wildlife are common to any Masai Mara safari, regardless of where you stay.
“Experience a classic Kenya Safari in the country where safaris originated”
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli National Park has incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro and large herds of elephants, well known for having huge tusks. These big tuskers draw many a safari enthusiast which makes Amboseli National Park one of the most popular on a Kenya Safari. After the heavy rains in April and May, the lake fills up with water, attracting large numbers of animals, including the big 5 as well as a plethora of birdlife. Melting ice from Mount Kilimanjaro feeds two swamps which provide enough water throughout the year for hippo, aquatic birds, and more to survive. Neighboring Chyulu Hills National Park has great views of Kilimanjaro, amazing elephant herds, and is home to a beautiful luxury lodge called Ol Donyo.
SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK
Riverine forest meets semi-arid ecosystem to create the magnificent landscape of Samburu National Park. The Ewaso Nyiro River winds through the park and into Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, providing reliable water to the region. Samburu is a small but very rich national park, boasting epic wildlife sightings and interesting scenery. Expect to be treated to wild dog sights as well as leopard and elephant. Samburu is also home to a unique group of animals that are not found in the southern reserves of Kenya. The Samburu Special 6 includes the Grevy’s zebra, the reticulated giraffe, the Somali ostrich, the long-necked gerenuk, Guenther’s dik-dik and the beisa oryx.
LAIKIPIA PLATEAU
One of the newest additions to the Kenya Safari, the Laikipia Plateau stretches from the Great Rift Valley to the slopes of Mount Kenya. Conservationist’s efforts have paid off, as over time the ranches, private conservancies, and local communities have come together to create an incredible wildlife area. Endangered species like black rhino and wild dog can be found here along with general game and very few other tourists! A myriad of activities can be done in the Laikipia Plateau area, from tracking rhino on foot, to horseback and camel rides and walking safaris. Ol Pejeta Conservancy offers a range of safari lodges and game viewing is excellent. Take a moment to visit the Chimpanzee sanctuary created to protect orphaned chimps from the Jane Goodall Institute in Burundi. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy has large crashes of both white and black rhino and good populations of elephant, lion and more.
THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY LAKES
One of Africa’s most biologically diverse regions, The Great Rift Valley’s basaltic cliffs form a border to a classic East African landscape. Many of Africa’s lakes are found in the Great Rift Valley which is home to endemic birdlife including millions of pink flamingos. A twitchers haven, the prolific birdlife is the main drawcard to the Great Rift Valley lakes. Visit Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha in search of not just birdlife, but of lions, leopards, hippo, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, elephants, and more! Lake Bogoria has recently replaced Lake Nakuru as a home for hundreds of thousands of flamingos.
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha are quick to get to and have a range of accommodation options. Lake Nakuru National Park is a lovely small park with good lion and rhino sightings as well as one of the few places left in the world where you can see wild Rothschild Giraffe.
Lake Borgoria is where the flamingos retreated to from Lake Nakuru. Hot springs and geysers are found along a section of the lake and with very low tourist numbers, you could have Lake Borgoria to yourself! Lake Turkana is at the very northern end of the Great Rift Valley, in a vast moon landscaped desert. Very remote, Lake Turkana is a large alkaline lake and an important stopover for migrant birds. Expect to see crocodiles and hippos and if lucky, other wildlife in neighboring Sibiloi National Park. Accommodation is basic with campsites available on the shore of the lake.
THE KENYAN COAST
Spectacular white sand beaches and tropical waters stretch along Kenya’s coast and the Indian Ocean is the ideal place to relax after your Kenya Safari. Excellent diving and snorkeling take place in the colorful offshore reefs. South of Mombasa lies Diani Beach, which is the most popular Kenyan coast resort town. Nearby Shimba Hills National Park offers game drives in search of elephants, sable antelope, giraffe, and more. Watamu is near the Arabuko-Sokoke National Park, combining incredible diving, natural beauty, and ancient ruins in the jungle.
Malindi beach has a strong Italian influence with great Italian foods. The area is dotted with landmarks from its history as a Swahili Port and Portuguese stronghold. The Lamu Archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of unique architecture and cultural significance. Before traveling to Lamu, always check security briefings as sadly this gem of a place is right on the Somali border. A range of accommodation can be found on the Kenyan Coast. Regularly scheduled flights to Mombasa and Diani, as well as a Masai Mara to Diani beach link.
NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
This small, scenically diverse, and full of wildlife national park is ringed by one of the biggest cities in Nairobi. Incredibly, game viewing of this level can be found in the middle of Nairobi. Start your Kenya Safari with 2 nights here, while you take a breath after traveling to Kenya.
NAIROBI DAY TOUR ON YOUR KENYA SAFARI
it is very easy to include a half or a full day tour of Nairobi on your safari. Due to flight times, most travelers either start or end their trip with an overnight stay in Nairobi.
Adopt a rescued and orphaned elephant with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, then visit them in Nairobi. Visit the Giraffe Centre to meet the critically endangered Rothschild Giraffe and have them eating out of your hand! Another stop on your Nairobi tour is to the Kazuri Beads, an incredible program that upskills single mothers and grandmothers by hand-making ceramic beads and then jewelry. Other highlights for longer tours include a visit to the Karen Blixen museum, having a meal at Carnivore Restaurant, or even visiting the Nairobi National Park for a game drive.This small, scenically diverse, and full of wildlife national park is ringed by one of the biggest cities in Nairobi. Incredibly, game viewing of this level can be found in the middle of Nairobi. Start your Kenya Safari with 2 nights here, while you take a breath after traveling to Kenya.
